:''"The [[Bobcat badge]] is earned prior to all other ranks. If a boy joins [[Cub Scout Leader Portal|Cub Scouting]]as a [[Wolf]], [[Bear]], or [[Webelos]], he must earn the Bobcat badge first before receiving any other award or rank. - [[Advancement Policies]], pp. 18-21

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:''"The [[Bobcat badge]] is earned prior to all other ranks. If a boy joins [[Cub Scout Leader Portal|Cub Scouting]] as a [[Wolf]], [[Bear]], or [[Webelos]], he must earn the Bobcat badge first before receiving any other award or rank. - [[Advancement Policies]], pp. 18-21

''"No matter what age or grade a boy joins [[Cub Scout Leader Portal|Cub Scouting]], he must earn his Bobcat Badge before he can advance to the rank of [[Tiger Cub]], [[Wolf]], [[Bear]], or [[Webelos]]. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include demonstrating his understanding of Scouting's core values. He must be able to recite the [[Cub Scout Promise]], [[Law of the Pack]], and motto and demonstrate the Cub Scout sign, handshake, and salute. He must also explain what each of these ideals means, in addition to demonstrating his understanding of the core values of honesty and trustworthiness, and explaining their importance."''

''"No matter what age or grade a boy joins [[Cub Scout Leader Portal|Cub Scouting]], he must earn his Bobcat Badge before he can advance to the rank of [[Tiger Cub]], [[Wolf]], [[Bear]], or [[Webelos]]. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include demonstrating his understanding of Scouting's core values. He must be able to recite the [[Cub Scout Promise]], [[Law of the Pack]], and motto and demonstrate the Cub Scout sign, handshake, and salute. He must also explain what each of these ideals means, in addition to demonstrating his understanding of the core values of honesty and trustworthiness, and explaining their importance."''

"No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat Badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include demonstrating his understanding of Scouting's core values. He must be able to recite the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, and motto and demonstrate the Cub Scout sign, handshake, and salute. He must also explain what each of these ideals means, in addition to demonstrating his understanding of the core values of honesty and trustworthiness, and explaining their importance."

History

The Bobcat rank was introduced in 1938 as the entry-level rank for every new Cub. The badge was a pin that was to be worn on civilian clothing and was not officially approved to be worn on the uniform shirt until 1959. In late 1972, the Bobcat pin was replaced with an embroidered rank patch and the Wolf and Bear rank badges were updated to the designs currently in use.